Tag Archives: Stuart Craig

The Art Directors Guild of America (ADG) announced their annual award nominations today. Babs has always been interested in this particular honour. Split into 3 categories the movie section honours period, fantasy and contemporary film production design. Not many surprises except the ridiculous nomination for “Bridesmaids” it always irritates that films tend to run in packs as far as nominations are concerned during awards season. “Bridesmaids” may have had a funny lead performance and if you really want to stretch it, the screenplay was ok, but production design? – oh please. The guild has yet to decide the nomination for Steven Spielberg’s animated “Tin Tin” movie.

Period Film.

THE ARTIST. Laurence Bennett

HUGO. Dante Ferretti

ANONYMOUS. Sebastian Krawinkel

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY. Maria Djurkovic

THE HELP. Mark Ricker

Ben Kingsley in a setting from “Hugo” production design by Dante Ferretti.

A setting from the visually arresting “Drive” production designer Beth Mickle.

In the television categories of interest are some of Babs faves getting a mention.

One Hour Single Camera Series.

BOARDWALK EMPIRE (Episode 21). Bill Groom

GAME OF THRONES (A Golden Crown). Gemma Jackson

AMERICAN HORROR STORY (Murder House). Mark Worthington

THE PLAYBOY CLUB (The Scarlett Bunny). Scott P. Murphy

PAN AM (Pilot). Bob Shaw

The kitchen from the horror house – “American Horror Story”.

Telemovie or Miniseries.

MILDRED PIERCE. Mark Friedberg

CINEMA VERITE. Patti Podesta

TOO BIG TO FAIL. Bob Shaw

THE HOUR. Eve Stewart

BLING RING. Robb Wilson King

Mildred Pierce “kitchen set” designer Mark Friedberg

A couple of favourites are in the mix – Dante Ferretti, Stuart Craig, Rick Heinrichs, Bob Shaw, Mark Friedberg. Very happy that Gemma Jackson has been noticed for “Game Of Thrones”, pleased also that “The Help” is on the list. Thrilled that “Drive” has been recognised. I haven’t seen all of the nominees but I will try and catch up before the announcement of the winners on Feb 4. It will be interesting to see how the Gloscars compare.

This years lifetime achievement award goes to Tony Walton responsible for many films amongst them “Murder On The Orient Express”, “The Wiz”, “The Boyfriend”, “Prince Of The City”. He was once married to Julie Andrews. Also to be honoured with a Cinematic Imagery Award are the team behind the Harry Potter franchise including Stuart Craig (Production Designer), Neil Lamont (Art Director) and Stephenie McMillan (Set Decorator).

The nominations for the Art Directors Guild awards for excellence in production design were announced today. There are a few surprises and a couple I was shocked to see included.

Period Film

TRUE GRIT Production Designer: Jess Gonchor

THE KING’S SPEECH Production Designer: Eve Stewart

SHUTTER ISLAND Production Designer: Dante Ferretti

ROBIN HOOD Production Designer: Arthur Max

GET LOW Production Designer: Geoffrey Kirkland

Fantasy Film

ALICE IN WONDERLAND Production Designer: Robert Stromberg

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 Production Designer: Stuart Craig

INCEPTION Production Designer: Guy Hendrix Dyas

TRON: LEGACY Production Designer: Darren Gilford

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER Production Designer: Barry Robison

Contemporary Film

BLACK SWAN Production Designer: Therese DePrez

THE SOCIAL NETWORK Production Designer: Donald Graham Burt

THE FIGHTER Production Designer: Judy Becker

THE TOWN Production Designer: Sharon Seymour

127 HOURS Production Designer: Suttirat Larlarb

The surprise for me has to be the inclusion of “Inception” in the fantasy category, surely it is contemporary design?

Very happy to see the inclusion of Dante Ferretti for “Shutter Island”.

Shocked to see the inclusion of “Tron: Legacy”, I thought the design on that film was so camp and ridiculous. The choice of furnishings in Jeff Bridge’s guru character’s digs was a joke in my opinion. Who cooked the damn suckling pig?

I haven’t seen “127 Hours” yet but isn’t most of the film about a guy trapped amongst rocks? Guess those fake rocks match up well to the real ones, technically it must be impressive.

Favorite designers of mine are amongst nominees – Jess Goncher for “True Grit”, David Graham Burt for “The Social Network”, Judy Becker “The Fighter” and Arthur Max “Robin Hood”. Sadly Mark Friedberg didn’t make the cut he never seems to be recognised enough for his brilliant designs.

My predictions for the winners –

SHUTTER ISLAND.

HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT 1.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK.

For some reason “The Pacific” was off the list of TV nominees, but happily “True Blood” and “Glee” are there. Also those Bholu cushions helped to earn “Modern Family” a nomination 🙂

Went to see the latest Harry Potter – the first part of the final book filmed (part 2 due next July).

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Pt 1.

I have seen all the HP films, but never read the books. They are event movies so it is hard for me to resist, a bit like Bond films. Not to mention watching the huge roster of fine British actors on the screen. This one fares better than the last two, but not as good as my favorite in the series – the 3rd one “Prisoner Of Azkaban” by far the most visual and imaginative.

If anything the Potter films are always a visual treat – the production design by talented Oscar winner Stuart Craig is always first class and full of wonderment and exquisite detail, they spend the big bucks wisely. The costumes are also just as fine – both the fantasy and the contemporary full of character and detail.

Story wise this film is a bit convoluted and repetitive but even though overlong it is not boring. It does at times feel a tad by the numbers and takes itself too seriously – far too dark and not enough magic and laughs. It also makes you realize that by the final film it will be time to put the magic wands to rest.

It is hard to believe that the first film was released in Nov 2001 – 9 years ago. Watching the fine young lead cast grow has been fun and handled by the producers with lots of care. I think care is the reason that this franchise has delighted me over the years. Quality big budget studio films are a rare beast.